By Hassan Zaggi
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Federal and state governments to, as matter of urgency, consider immediate implementation of the CONMESS salary scheme and implementation of hazard allowance.
It, therefore, issued the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum beginning April 29, 2023, to resolve all its demands, following the expiration of which on May 13, 2023, “we may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the sector nationwide.”
NARD stated this in a communique at the end of its Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
NARD further called for what it described as the immediate massive recruitment of clinical staff in hospitals and complete abolishment of bureaucratic limitations to the immediate replacement of Doctors who leave the system.
While demanding for infrastructural development in all hospitals across the country, NARD, however, insisted on at least 15% budgetary allocation to health subsequently.
“NEC demands immediate implementation of CONMESS, domestication of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and review of hazard allowance by all the state governments as well as Private Tertiary Health Institutions where any form of Residency Training is done.
“NEC demands immediate commencement of payment of all salary arrears owed to our members by the various state Governments, notorious amongst which is the Abia State Government,” the communique said.
The Resident doctors, however, demanded an immediate increment in the CONMESS salary structure to the tune of 200% of the current gross salary of Doctors in addition to the new allowances.
It further demanded immediate withdrawal and jettisoning of the ill-conceived bill by Honorable Ganiyu Johnson on the enslavement of young doctors in Nigeria.
“NEC demands immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) in line with the agreements reached at the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Health. This should be done without further delay.
“NEC demands the commencement of payment of all salary arrears owed to our members including 2014, 2015, and 2016 salary arrears as well as areas of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage,” the communique stressed.
